Sunday, May 31, 2009

Day One - PRAYER REQUEST

Andrew was in a horrible accident at a hotel pool and was found at the bottom of the pool by a security guard. After being rushed to the hospital we found out that he had broken his neck and we were unsure of the possibility of brain damage from being underwater for so long.

Family and Friends gathered at the hospital and the prayers started for Andrew. After almost no reaction from Andrew, we feared the worst and the doctors were going to start to chill his body in order to take some tests in 24 hours. Before they began that process, however, Andrew opened his eyes for a moment, which was a small ray of hope. Because of this, they decided to give Andrew an MRI right away. On the way to the MRI, Andrew began to wake up, and, Thank God, by the time he was finished was able to communicate with the nurses and with us. While he has a breathing tube in, Andrew is shaking yes and no (despite a neck brace), blinking yes and no, and even wrote with a pen and paper. He wrote: Cold, Pain, Get the tube out, and an expletive- all of which gave the doctors and nurses reason to believe there was no brain damage.

We did get results from the MRI this afternoon and the doctor did assure us that Andrew has no brain damage. We have been in and out of his room assuring him that we love him and that things will be all right, and he has told the nurses that he does not remember anything from the accident, but that he is not afraid. The doctor also mentioned that he can not explain how Andrew went from no response this morning to such a positive response this afternoon- yet we know that the power of prayer is working and ask everyone for their continued prayers and support.

After meeting with the surgeon, Andrew will be going into surgery at 4:00 this afternoon to have his 7th vertebrae replaced. The bone has burst and a donor bone will replace the current pieces and then be bonded to the other vertebrae to help Andrew begin to recover. Several other vertebrae were fractured, and Andrew will have to wear a neck brace for at least 12 weeks to help those bones heal in addition to the surgery. We hope the doctor is able to remove the tube within a week or two as Andrew does not like it, but with this kind of injury it is difficult for the patient to ween off the breathing tube. The other partial good news that we received from the doctor is that Andrew did respond to pressure on his legs. He was able to let the doctor know if the pressure was from his right leg or left leg. The doctor let us know that the spinal cord, while not severed, was bruised. This can be a positive thing as it's up in the air as to what lower body recovery Andrew will have. While he is not able to wiggle his toes, this does indicate that there is a possibility that Andrew can regain feeling/sense in his lower body, which is our ultimate goal.

At this time please pray pray pray for a successful surgery and toe wiggling. It is a terrifying thing, but Andrew has been so strong and is doing better than can be expected.

33 comments:

I love you man! You are in my thoughts and prayers at all times. If there is anything you need from me, pleae don hesitate go get in touch with me... 6085129717 brian@milotarep.com. I only live a few minutes from the hospital. I wish you and yoru family the best in the recovoery process. Please do not hesiate to get in touch with me for anything you and your family may need.

I LOVE YOU MAN. I know you will get thought this, otherwise you would not be a hippert. You are a strong willed and have a drive to suceed and this will help you recover to the best you can!

I just want you to know that we all live you like family and we all will just to help with anything you need! Please dont heistate to call!

Andrew,Andrew Andrew Andrew....Didn't expect to wake up to a phonecall from John this morning with news... Needless to say all the concern in the world from my whole family. Ha--you're so this way-not only do you befriend someone, you befriend all of their friends AND their families! You really are special for that. I am so happy to hear about all the progress you're making already. Better things ahead, we can all believe that.What expletive did you write? Oh, it doesn't matter. I bet it was right around four letters though.Well hang tight, buddy. I hear you've got some boats, etc to tend to. Maybe while you're in town, I can pop in with a smile and a hello. Take care,Jaci

My heart sank when I heard the news about your accident. I hope in the upcoming weeks and months you continue to make steady progress with your recovery. Already sounds as though you're doing great! I will keep you in my prayers as you continue to heal!!

Hippert !!!Your the toughest guy I know!! Stay strong man..Our prayers are with you and your family. Every time I come check the website there is another update on how your getting better with every hour!!! GREAT TO HEAR!!! Take CareBenny Williams

Hey Andrew-I am so sorry to hear about the accident! Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as well as your family is. I know you will get through this tough time. If anybody has the will, determination and dedication, it is you!!! Keep strong and know that you will make it through this!

I cannot tell you how relieve I am to hear that things went well during surgery. Best wishes buddy. We need you back selling poly so we can keep making armor kits for the military. Take care and I will continue to keep you in the thoughts and prayers.

On behalf of a bunch of friends of Steve and Barb Wilhelms, you have many additonal thoughts and prayers going out for a speedy recovery, from all across the USA.Listen to those doctors, but especially the nurses. They are a pain in the ass and will make you work hard, but from the comments of the people who know you posted here, sounds like you are up to the task.Tom McCullough

HI Andrew, We are not friends, but I know Ashley and Anthony. I was at the pool during the accident. It was completely surreal. I blame myself for not during more to help! but the paramedics were there pretty quick. You are in my prayers and I wish you the best!

I am so proud of you and your strength! God is doing amazing things with you and for you! Keep up the amazing fight! We are all in the other room praying for you.... Leaving you be is the hardest thing for all of us! Jaeden and Tori can not wait to come see you! We love you !!! I love you !

Hey Andrew! Great to hear you're already planning which rehab facility to go to . . . what a great sign. I knew you could do it. Oh . . . and add Panama to the places where the prayers are coming from. Laurita and her whole family are rooting for you!

God is amazing! My friend Susan was visiting my family in Indiana for the weekend when her sister Karen told her the horrible news. We immediately began to pray for a miracle. I called my friend Betty (Illinois) who is a minister and her church service was just about to start (she forgot to turn her cell phone off). She prayed with two of the church members and then went out to give her sermon. God prompted her to ask her whole congregation to pray. As they prayed, a woman said that whe was prompted to pray "by number." So, the congregation prayed for each vertebrae. They are a faith healing church and they finished and believed God had already begun to accomplish this good work. They are loving the good news and that God is being glorified through Andrew. God bless you and your family as you recover. -- Cathy B.

Alex Wright here, just reporting on what some friends of Andrew and myself have conjured up as a possible charitable event to help out with the (what we assume will be huge) medical bills that he and/or the family will face in the distant future.

In October, when I get back in town, David Endow, Mike Lord, and my group of close friends have come up with the notion of hosting a "Fall Classic Kickball Tournament" in Milwaukee. Picking a venue and advertising are the most immediate obstacles to making this idea a reality, but each are very realistic.

Personally, I have an extensive list of bar and service industry connections that will both sponsor and help us advertise such an event. With other tertiary connections regarding flyer and t-shirt printing, it appears that we will be able to garner enough support and/or awareness of the need to supplement our friend's financial burden to put on a serious event. We were thinking that the 3rd week in October would allow for both enough time to organize teams and create a significant amount of interest in this noble and worthy cause.

At the same time, we (those who have been brainstorming about this idea) are very concerned with the reaction and validation of the HIppert family. Without your endorsement, this plan is nothing but the brainchild of a few close friends. Please let me know if we should continue with organizing an event to help supplement the overwhelming costs of medical treatment that Andrew must be incurring.

In the meantime, keep reminding Andrew that I, and countless others, are thinking and praying for him.

Hey, Mr. Duff, Mr. Glasser and Mr. Kistler spent 20 min this morning in a management review talking about how we at Sheffield could not post messages...its a Bayer IT thing and know everyone at Sheffeild has been trying to send messages.

Know all is good my friend...Monday night was the first time in years my son Caleb (12) and I got on our knees in front of his bed, and prayed for a friend of mine in WI. We do this every night now knowing all will be good. Can't wait for you to take me out in your boat in CA and see the sights and put a fishing line in the water.

All our love, Mark, Dawn, Nathen, Caleb, Blake Hall...by the way, your driving in CA still scares the heck out of me!

Second Annual Andrew Hippert Open

Come join us for the Second Annual Andrew Hippert Open. 18 holes of fun (and some golf) food and silent auction afterwards. 10 AM shotgun start. More details to come, but sign up now to ensure your spot.

You can view information, read/write comments, and sign up for the event Here. However, if you do not have a facebook account, please feel free to e-mail Mark Lee with questions or a request for a spot at mrk3525@gmail.com.

Date:

Monday, August 30, 2010

Time:

9:30am - 7:00pm

Location:

High Cliff Golf Course

Street:

W5095 Golf Course Road

City/Town:

Sherwood, W

Wiggle Those Toes Bracelets!!!

Now for sale!

In case you didn't get a chance to make it to the Benefit... Or just forgot to buy a bracelet when you were there.... You still have time! Quantities are limited.... so buy quickly! (Only $5 with Shipping)

DONATIONS

Thank you all for your amazing support! We have had many requests for the ability to donate to Andrew's rising medical costs and have created a PayPal account connected the Andrew Hippert Benefit Account at Fox Communities Credit Union.
Upon making a donation through the link below, a receipt will be sent to your email address. In addition, you will have the option to print a receipt from the site. If you wish to send a donation by mail, you can send it to
Norman Hippert
fbo Andrew Hippert
3110 Simon Road
Manitowoc, WI 54220

POSTING A COMMENT

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What Happened:

Andrew Hippert was in a tragic accident in a swimming pool on May 31st around 3 AM. In this accident he burst a vertebrae in his neck, fractured several others, and bruised his spinal cord. We are asking for prayers to help him recover the most of his functions in the long road ahead of him.